🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.